The adsorption of activated carbon can be divided into physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. 

Physical adsorption mainly occurs in the abundant micropores of activated carbon and is used to remove impurities in water and air. The molecular diameter of these impurities must be smaller than the pore size of activated carbon. Different raw materials and processing techniques result in different micropore structures, specific surface areas and pore sizes of activated carbon, which are suitable for different needs.

Water Treatment Applications:

Municipal Water Treatment Plants: Activated carbon is used in large-scale water treatment plants to improve the quality of drinking water by removing taste and odor issues, as well as certain contaminants.

Residential Filtration Systems: Activated carbon filters are commonly used in point-of-use or point-of-entry water filtration systems in homes to provide clean and better-tasting water.

Wastewater Treatment: It can be used in wastewater treatment to remove organic contaminants and other pollutants before releasing treated water back into the environment.